The fourth season of SA20 is set to begin on Boxing Day 2025, marking a shift in scheduling. The league announced the windows for its next three editions ahead of this season’s playoffs. With no home Tests for South Africa in the 2025-26 summer, the league can now start earlier, aligning with the country’s peak cricket season.
Seasons five and six will return to mid-January starts, likely beginning on January 9 in both 2027 and 2028. These seasons will also extend by five to six days compared to the current edition. Cricket South Africa (CSA) clarified that these dates indicate the playing window rather than exact start and end dates.
South Africa’s schedule in 2025-26 includes an all-format tour of India in November-December before they return for the SA20, which will conclude by January 26. After that, they will host West Indies for a T20I series.
Starting on Boxing Day could affect player availability, particularly with the Ashes in Australia running until January 8. England’s Joe Root, who was among the top run-scorers this season, is likely to miss the start. However, moving the SA20 forward could reduce direct clashes with the ILT20, though overlaps with the Big Bash League and Bangladesh Premier League will remain.
SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith emphasized that confirming the tournament window for three years brings certainty for stakeholders and fans. He also highlighted that extended windows from 2026-27 will help with scheduling, logistics, and player workload. MI Cape Town coach Robin Peterson welcomed this, noting that the current schedule offers little recovery time.
SA20 Windows for the Next Three Seasons:
- Season Four: December 26, 2025 – January 26, 2026
- Season Five: January 9 – February 14, 2027
- Season Six: January 9 – February 13, 2028
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